LMT MWS .308 Review & Pics

So I finally received my LMT MWS .308 from Questar this week and variety of upgrade parts from different vendors. As there have been several posts requesting information and pictures on this rifle in Canada, I thought I would initiate a thread on this specific rifle with the hope that other owners will make additions by providing information, load data, and pictures.

First off I would like to say that I love this rifle. The fit an finish are better than any other AR's I have handled, including my two Noveske rifles which I consider to be top notch. I have always been a fan of LMT products and have owned a regular 16" DI MRP in the past, however the MWS is just much nicer. The upper and lower are perfectly matched and the finish is perfect.

I shot several groups today at the range to zero my scope and test the LMT at 100 yds. I used 168 gr FGMM, and some 167 gr Lapua, which worked well in this rifle and an 8 x Mark 4 scope. I am an above average shooter, but not a marksman, and was able to coax a few nice groups from the 16" barrel. My best group was a five round 0.67" group (C to C) with 168 gr FGMM. I also shot several 0.75" groups, and a lot of 1" groups with both types of ammo. I was in a hurry and had way too much coffee, so I'm hoping to improve on my groups on my next outing and by working up some hand loads. A more powerful scope would also likely help. I fired 35 rounds with no stoppages.

I really have no complaints about this rifle, however it is very loud and a fair bit heavier than a regular 18" AR. The recoil is not as bad as I thought it would be, however I have read that it has more shoulder punch than a KAC SR-25. All in all I could not be happier and this just might replace my Noveske SPR as my favorite rifle.


What is the lenght of the rifle , when the Sopmod stock is completely close.
 
LMT MWS .308 Length

The MWS as configured is 35 3/4" with the stock collapsed (Pic is at an angle, so the tape measure looks off a bit but its exactly butt to muzzle). If you take off the Vortex, you can shave off 1/2 an inch. Also the SOPMOD stock will not completely retract as the buffer tube on the LMT MWS is a little longer than a standard AR. A stock LMT MWS from the factory will be about 34 1/2" to 35" with the stock collapsed and an A2 flash hider.

LMTWMSMEASURE.jpg
 
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Yes the LMT MWS comes with one 5/20 KAC Magazine. I sold the one that came with this rifle on the EE, as I really like the .308 PMAG LR's which work great in this rifle. However if you like "KAC" written on your magazines then you'll get one if you buy a MWS. Other new owners may be selling them soon on the EE as well.

That's a curious statement considering the KAC mags allow a longer oal of the rounds...
The PMags will only accept 2.800" and the KAC (like M14 and other mags) will easily accept 2.850" - maybe not that big a deal for most, but I suspect with the cost of .308 and the accuracy these rifles offer, most would be looking to hand loading for them. If you are loading for more than one rifle, one aol would be easier to deal with. Just some thoughts.

If any of you guys want to part with your KAC mags, I'll trade them straight up for PMags - 1 for 1:)
 
Oh Oh, OAL talk :) now I will get confused. Have you guys checked what your optimum OAL is for your chamber?

And is the LMT actually a .308 chamber or 7.62x51? What about the KAC?
 
Oh Oh, OAL talk :) now I will get confused. Have you guys checked what your optimum OAL is for your chamber?

And is the LMT actually a .308 chamber or 7.62x51? What about the KAC?

OAL will change depending on the round one wants to load with, so not quite that simple. It really doesn't matter as most are going to load to mag length anyhow - I just mentioned it because I was going to take out some handloads I prepared for my TRG, and noticed they won't fit in the Pmags, but work in the TRG, KAC and M14 mags just fine.

I also find it odd that the Pmags don't have an anti-tilt follower :confused: I thought that was their 'thing'.
 
OAL will change depending on the round one wants to load with, so not quite that simple. It really doesn't matter as most are going to load to mag length anyhow - I just mentioned it because I was going to take out some handloads I prepared for my TRG, and noticed they won't fit in the Pmags, but work in the TRG, KAC and M14 mags just fine.

I also find it odd that the Pmags don't have an anti-tilt follower :confused: I thought that was their 'thing'.

I guess your right if your mag can only hold a 2.800" OAL round then regardeless of what optimum OAL would be in your chamber your stuck at 2.800"
 
I plan on running a bunch of ammo through mine this weekend.
I have IVI, Hertenburger, Santa Barbara, various commercial and hand loads to try. Also an SR match I may use it in as well (not really looking forward to the rundown...)
Might post some photos of my findings if I've got time.

Edited to add:

I slapped a Nightforce 2.5x10 NXS and a PWS break on mine and had it out for a bit more fun.
All groups shot were from prone using a bagged front rest for support.

First group was a confirmation of my earlier use of Hertenburger surplus. Results were about on par for this stuff. Very underwhelming.

IMG_0092.jpg


Next up is the excellent brass-in-waiting of a batch of 70s IVI.

IMG_0094.jpg


After this I settled on some handloads I had made up last year to test in my TRG 22. The night before I had to crunch them down .05" so they'd fit in the Pmags... Brass is virgin Lapua, fed 210m primers and either AA2520 or Varget with 168gr. SMKs

AA2520:
IMG_0096.jpg


Varget:
IMG_0095.jpg


Conclusions:
No real suprises - Surplus ammo is that for a reason. I'll happily run this stuff through my M14, but this LMT deserves much better.
Since I can't afford to run factory match ammo like the RUAG or GMM, handloading is my only real (and in fact best) option. I'd recommend prospective buyers of these guns to consider that before heading out to make a purchase.
I need to start working up handloads for this rifle specifically - not using handload hand-me-downs from my boltguns - something that is on par with my experience of loading for AR15s.
This thing chucked the brass about 4 ft to the 2 o'clock position, so instead of hunting for brand new Lapua brass like a madman, I'll stick to winchester brass.
The PWS brake on the AR15 isn't bad, but on this thing, a bit of a beast. I'm hoping to try out the Battlecomp offerings if and when they are available up here (any vendors working on this btw?).

Next up is some tailored handloads, maybe a bit more glass and some shooting from the 800m mound...stay tuned
 
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Please post your group sizes and deductions. ####

I plan on running a bunch of ammo through mine this weekend.
I have IVI, Hertenburger, Santa Barbara, various commercial and hand loads to try. Also an SR match I may use it in as well (not really looking forward to the rundown...)
Might post some photos of my findings if I've got time.
 
You have to use a proprietary LMT barrel on the MWS, however they are working on 16" and 18" SS match barrels for civilian sale from what I understand. I will likely buy a 18" SS match barrel when they come in.
 
I really have no complaints about this rifle, however it is very loud and a fair bit heavier than a regular 18" AR...

Hey ####,

I'm curious as to how much the MWSE weighs. I checked LMT's website and did a Google search but no luck. I don't suppose you weighed it before you put the scope and bi-pod on it? Thanks for the review, nice gun w:h:
 
Hey ####,

I'm curious as to how much the MWSE weighs. I checked LMT's website and did a Google search but no luck. I don't suppose you weighed it before you put the scope and bi-pod on it? Thanks for the review, nice gun w:h:

Empty rifle weight = 9.98 pounds
Extended length = 38″
Collapsed length = 34.75″
Top rail surface = 19.25″
3, 6, and 9 o’clock rail length = 9″
Overall upper receiver length is 21.2″

Got this off Google search... from report done at the SHOT Show... info supplied by Ryan Johnson of LMT.

Mark
 
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